Lansford man who allegedly fled from police waives hearing

Saturday, January 16, 2010

By RON GOWER rgower@tnonline.com

A Lansford man scheduled to have a preliminary hearing this week on charges that while in police custody, he got his hands free of the handcuffs and fled, has waived the charges to Carbon County Court.

Daniel W. Hollan, 28, of 21 W. Patterson St., is facing charges of escape, resisting arrest, two counts of simple assault, harassment, and possession of drug paraphernalia. All but the harassment charges – which is a summary – are misdemeanors.

Hollan was slated to have a hearing before District Judge Casimir T. Kosciolek of Lansford.

He was charged following an incident on Jan. 9 in Lansford.

According to the arresting officer, Brian Haras, Hollan allegedly assaulted a female at their shared apartment at about 5:15 a.m. on Jan. 9. He allegedly grabbed her by the throat, choked her, and slapped her about the face.

Officer Haras said in his affidavit that the female told him she waited until Hollan "passed out before calling police for help" because of her fear of the defendant.

The police officer said in the affidavit that while taking Hollan into custody, a metal pipe was observed and taken from the defendant.

"This pipe had wire packed into one end and some residue on this wire," said Haras in the affidavit. "This type of paraphernalia is consistent with the type of pipe used to smoke 'crack' cocaine."

Police allege that they had to utilize force to place Hollan into the police cruiser.

At the police station, Hollan was handcuffed to a retention seat, says the affidavit, but managed to slip the handcuff from his wrist.

Holland allegedly stood up and announced, "I'm ..... out of here," and then fled. Horos and another officer gave pursuit and reportedly nabbed him about a block from the police station.

The affidavit says, "When finally cornered, Hollan turned and squared off in a fighting stance with both officers and refused all verbal direction and orders to comply with officers."